TorontoNAJC October Update
September 30, 2018
Japanese Canadian Heritage Markers Unveiled in Chatham-Kent
The commemoration event of the interpretive signage and a tree planting ceremony of sakura trees took place at Mitchell’s Bay in Chatham-Kent, in Southwestern Ontario on September 7, 2018. This event is in recognition of the Japanese Canadians sent to the area from B.C. as farm labourers during the Second World War through the Ontario Farm Labour Force Project. Many Japanese-Canadian families moved to the area during and after the war and there are still some of these families living in the area. When the signage was unveiled, Japanese Canadian attendees found familiar faces in the signage and happily pointed them out.
This location is the first of five where heritage markers will be placed and sakura trees will be planted. Others include the Lambton-Kent Memorial Agricultural Centre in Dresden, the English farm at 8907 Doyle Line in Chatham, Talbot Trail in Eatonville, and at 4405 Middle Line in Valetta, Tilbury East Municipal Shop location.
The JC Heritage Markers Project was led by Ken Noma and Toronto NAJC Board member, Michiko Yano-Shuttleworth. It began as an attempt to preserve a building in Eatonville that had once housed Japanese Canadian labourers. Conversations with the municipality then turned to talks of placing signage at farm sites where Japanese Canadians had worked.
At the ceremony, Mayor of Chatham-Kent Randy Hope said, “Sometimes we don’t see the past until it hits us directly in the face. And then we start to realize the contributions that people play… Today is a proud moment of our community…to recognize the contributions that are made by the Japanese citizens that were here. The contributions they’ve made to our agriculture. But most importantly what they do for us today, as we go forward to build a better community.”
Ken Noma gave a history lesson about what happened to Japanese Canadians during the war. “By June of 1942, there were 320 Japanese Canadian men working in Chatham-Kent and surrounding areas. Once settled in Ontario they called for their families to join them and by 1944, about 2,000 Japanese Canadians settled to parts of the province; By 1945 this number reached to about 4,000.” He explained the road camps of Schreiber-Jackfish became the gateway to Japanese Canadians coming to Ontario. Noma also added that his wife was born in Chatham and their family came there after the war.
Peter Wakayama, a former resident of Chatham, said that it was good to back to Chatham where his family came after the war and he grew up. “This was my hometown,” he said. He told the audience he had to thank his parents to how much they did for their family establishing the next generations, after spending a terrible time during the war. A photo of Wakayama and his siblings and cousin are featured on the signage.
Consul General of Japan in Toronto, Takako Ito said, “I am very honoured to be part of this extraordinary occasion today. The hardships that Japanese Canadians suffered in the past are once again being formerly recognized as an important part of Canadian history, while cherry trees are being planted as a symbol of lasting friendship and goodwill, from the Japanese Canadian community to the people of Chatham-Kent.” She went on to state that contributions of Japanese Canadians who had become an invaluable part of Canadian society made it possible for the Japanese companies to establish themselves in Ontario.
The National body of the NAJC was the major funder of the project.
Author – Mika Fukuma
Momiji Health Care Society Celebrates its 40th Anniversary
Momiji Health Care Society’s 40th Anniversary Gala was held August 25th at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. The Society is a non-profit charitable organization in Toronto to assist primarily Japanese Canadian seniors to live independently. For forty years the Society provided educational and other services individuals and a number of senior’s homes with Japanese Canadians in Toronto.
The Gala launched Momiji’s Community Wellness Fund with a goal of raising three million dollars over three years to bolster and sustain programs and services at the Seniors’ Centre and seniors in the broader community. A major highlight of the evening was the presentation of a $500,000 donation to the fund by Marty Kobayashi on behalf of his late mother Mrs. N. Kobayashi who had bequeathed the gift to Momiji. Toronto NAJC was pleased to participate in the Gala by displaying its “Japanese Canadian Interned and Displaced” photo exhibit which the chapter put together for the 75th Anniversary of JC Internment. Janet and Randy Sakauye, Ron Shimizu and Bruce Tatemichi of the Board of Directors of Toronto NAJC were in attendance.
The average age of the 155 tenants of the Momiji Seniors’ Residence is 89 with the average move-in age of 85. The Momiji HCS opened the Momiji Residence 26 years ago and also provides services to Macassa Lodge in Hamilton, Yee Hong Centre for Geriatic Care in Scarborough and Castleview-Wychwood.
In addition to a wonderful dinner, the Gala had silent auction of sports memorabilia, works of art and beautiful Japanese articles. Entertainment was provided by Bruce Tatemichi and 100 Proof who provided a jazz background during the reception and Nagata Shachu group who performed a traditional Japanese street music and story-telling number during the banquet.